Will powder graphite lube be okay to use on a ball in place of grease?

cecho

cecho

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Will powder graphite lube be okay to use on a ball in place of grease? or should I just grease up the ball every once in a while?
 
H

H20Rat

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Re: Will powder graphite lube be okay to use on a ball in place of grease?

Unless you are doing 10's of thousands of miles of towing every year, ball grease (yes, i said it!) isn't needed. The coupler and ball will not wear to any measurable degree.
 
Frank Acampora

Frank Acampora

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Re: Will powder graphite lube be okay to use on a ball in place of grease?

Agreed! I have couplers and balls that are over 20 years old and neber been greased. The chrome has flaked off the ball at high pressure points but that's it.

BTW: Powdered graphite or graphite in any form has no business anywhere near a boat or its equipment. It is electrically conductive and actually hastens galvanic corrosion.
 
A

agallant80

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Re: Will powder graphite lube be okay to use on a ball in place of grease?

I never had an issue until I upgraded boats and now am pushing 9,000Lbs on the hitch. Last weekend it was impossible to get the hitch off of the ball (i had to pull the pin from the ball hitch and pull the truck forward). I am going to grease it up really good this weekend see if it helps With that said my last boat clocking in at about 5K with trailer never had an issue. If you are not having issues then I would leave it alone. I am not looking forward to having a greasy hitch.
 
cecho

cecho

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Re: Will powder graphite lube be okay to use on a ball in place of grease?

Thanks for the info!
 
smokeonthewater

smokeonthewater

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Re: Will powder graphite lube be okay to use on a ball in place of grease?

try wd-40 all up inside the hitch.... works wonders and is FAR less nasty than grease.
 
sweet addiction

sweet addiction

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Re: Will powder graphite lube be okay to use on a ball in place of grease?

Frank Acampora said:
BTW: Powdered graphite or graphite in any form has no business anywhere near a boat or its equipment. It is electrically conductive and actually hastens galvanic corrosion.
Click to expand...
I never knew that, but that is definitely good to know. Thank you!
 
Thalasso

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Re: Will powder graphite lube be okay to use on a ball in place of grease?

If you want to lube the ball and locking mechanism periodically, use Teflon spray on the mechanism. It won't collect dirt like grease will.
(i had to pull the pin from the ball hitch and pull the truck forward). The lack of lubricant is not what causes this issue. It's due to the fact you backed up and pressure was put on the latch so it wouldn't release.
 
Splat

Splat

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Re: Will powder graphite lube be okay to use on a ball in place of grease?

Wd40 is not a lubricant, nor a penetrant.
 
Bondo

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Re: Will powder graphite lube be okay to use on a ball in place of grease?

agallant80 said:
I never had an issue until I upgraded boats and now am pushing 9,000Lbs on the hitch. Last weekend it was impossible to get the hitch off of the ball (i had to pull the pin from the ball hitch and pull the truck forward). I am going to grease it up really good this weekend see if it helps With that said my last boat clocking in at about 5K with trailer never had an issue. If you are not having issues then I would leave it alone. I am not looking forward to having a greasy hitch.
Click to expand...
Thalasso said:
If you want to lube the ball and locking mechanism periodically, use Teflon spray on the mechanism. It won't collect dirt like grease will.
(i had to pull the pin from the ball hitch and pull the truck forward).
Click to expand...
The lack of lubricant is not what causes this issue. It's due to the fact you backed up and pressure was put on the latch so it wouldn't release.
Click to expand...


Ayuh,.... Exactly,.... The Problem had nothin' to do with the ball stuck in the coupler, other than the coupler wasn't Released....
 
Silvertip

Silvertip

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Re: Will powder graphite lube be okay to use on a ball in place of grease?

agallant80 said:
I never had an issue until I upgraded boats and now am pushing 9,000Lbs on the hitch. Last weekend it was impossible to get the hitch off of the ball (i had to pull the pin from the ball hitch and pull the truck forward). I am going to grease it up really good this weekend see if it helps With that said my last boat clocking in at about 5K with trailer never had an issue. If you are not having issues then I would leave it alone. I am not looking forward to having a greasy hitch.
Click to expand...

If you can't get the coupler off the ball you have the yoke too tight. Bend over, look up at the bottom of the coupler. See the big nut? Loosen it a tad.
 
MH Hawker

MH Hawker

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Re: Will powder graphite lube be okay to use on a ball in place of grease?

I do put grease on the hitch mech in the fall, just to slow down the rust over the winter and wipe it off in the spring.
 
F

frantically relaxing

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Re: Will powder graphite lube be okay to use on a ball in place of grease?

The ball doesn't need grease, but the ball lock mechanism DOES. Spray can lithium grease is wonderful for that--

WD40-- basically fish oil, which does lube and pentrate, but it evaporates very quickly--which is usually a good thing, but bad if you expect it to keep squeaky hinges quiet for more than a week!
 
Howard Sterndrive

Howard Sterndrive

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Re: Will powder graphite lube be okay to use on a ball in place of grease?

WD40 is a simple mix of mineral oil and Stoddard solvents with a tiny bit of fragrance, pretty much the same as every light penetrating oil out there. no fish, no water, no secret ingredients.

Lithium grease certainly works well on outside latches, hinges etc. So does engine oil.
 
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